Bitter Bones

by Lindsay Puckett

Bitter Bones is Holly Black's DOLL BONES meets J.A. White’s NIGHTBOOKS, with all the fun and creepiness of K.R. Alexander.

Clay knows deep down in his bones that his mother was NOT killed by her dolls.An infamous toy maker, she disappeared eight years ago, sparking rumors of hauntings and creations come to life.



But to Clay, his mom is just your average runaway.



At least until her cryptic plea for help arrives, one that sends Clay on a twisted investigation exposing creepy, cult-like doll collectors, disturbing online urban legends, and a mysterious figure following Clay's every move only known as the Button-Eyed Man.



Clay won't abandon his mom like she did to him―he'll leave no road untaken to bring her back.



Even if that road is paved with his own bones.

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2026

About the author

Lindsay lives in a tiny apartment in Ohio where there are too many books, just the right amount of pet hair, and never enough house plants.

She has a Bachelor's in psychology and enjoys creating videos for her YouTube channel where she shares her publication journey and helps other writers along their own.

YouTube: Lindsay Puckett
Instagram: lindsayjmp
Twitter: puckett_lindsay
Website: authorlindsaypuckett.com

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Clay Wilde has livedwith his aunts and his cousins Addison and Sophie ever since his mother disappeared eight years ago. Genevieve Wilde was the founder of Doll Eyes, Inc. which had a line of very creepy, Gothic dolls called "Wretches". She released them sparingly and in unconventional outlets, and the demand drove up prices. Clay suffers from a lot of physical ailments, some of which have to deal with his bones. On Clay's birthday, he gets a mysterious present on his bed with information only his mother would know. He loops in his cousins, as well as Addison's best friend Elise, who uses a walker or wheelchair, and the group helps him try to find his mother. Because of the weird nature of the dolls, the people interested in them are sometimes alarming, and there is even an invitation-only online forum called the Curio Cabinet. Clay manages to contact his mother's business partner, Greggory, and while visiting him, sneaks onto his computer and invites himself onto the forum. He gets some critical information, but is soon blocked. There are some sightings of "the man with the button eyes", a mythical character from the stories that feature the dolls, and who is said to come after anyone who "dusts" a doll. (One of the unusual features is that if someone tries to open a doll up and figure out how it was made, the doll disintegrates!) The group attends Creep Con where they make more contacts, and find about about the super creepy Geneives, who are involved in some dark magic surrounding the dolls. At one point, Clay thinks he has found his mother, and also realizes he is cursed and turning into porcelain, just like the dolls! It's likely that the woman he found isn't his mother, but he and his group need to locate her quickly before Clay turns into one of the "Wretches". Will they be able to solve this mystery?
Strengths: I enjoyed the idea that there were super creepy, limited edition Gothic dolls, and that the developer of these was surrounded in mystery. There are a lot of creepy doll books out there even though the traditional china and porcelain dolls may not be something tweens have ever personally seen. Clay loves his aunt and cousins, but of course wants to know more about his mother. A death certificate has been issued, but lacking closure, he still wants to believe she might be alive. Addison and Elise make great teammates, and there's a little flirting going on between Elise and Clay. Six-year-old Sophie adds some levity, and also has an imaginery friend, Clarissa, who occasionally has good observations. The doll underworld is well portrayed, and there are so many twists and turns that I don't want to ruin. You'll just have to pick this one up yourself to find out what happens!
Weaknesses: Whoever edits K.R. Alexander's horror books should have taken a look at this. While the descriptions of the dolls and the world surrounding them is interesting, the story isn't as fast paced as my readers tend to like, and could be a little bit scarier. I'll still purchase a copy EVEN THOUGH IT IS PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK. ARGH! Oh, Scholastic. I know things are tough, but why are most of the horror books in paperback while the sappy Life Lesson books all in hardcover?
What I really think: This will definitely do better than this author's The Glass Witch, if only because of the creepy doll cover that is reminiscent of Ford's The Headless Doll or Alexanders' The Collector. Make sure you order extras of this if you are hosting a Scholastic Book Fair.

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75
Cover 5; Characters 5; Plot 5; Pace 4; Engagement 4; Worldbuilding 5; Readability 5; Theme 5; Enjoyment 5; Emote*

First things first, I am friends with the author so take my review as you will.

BUT THIS BOOK Y'ALL.

I love my creepy mid-grade. You know it has my whole heart. And Bitter Bones didn't disappoint! I was pleasantly creeped the heck out many times during this book. Not only just by some of the jump scares, but also just the reality behind what was happening to Clay? Yeah... no thanks. I was fully creeped.

The descriptions of the dolls was fun and quirky and the collectors were an odd bunch. I loved our little friend group. I think they were a perfectly balanced group of friends. They all had their strengths and weaknesses but they also know how best to work together to accomplish what they'd set out to do.

The back half of this book gets a little kooky and I think that definitely added to the fun of it. I really had a great time with this one. Lindsay never let's me down when it comes to spooky mid-grade!

[Chris Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Bitter Bones” wasn’t as creepy as the cover would suggest - it is a juvenile book 🤷🏻- but there was some gruesomeness Annabelle, Becky, and Chucky would approve of 🙀

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! I wasn't too sure at the beginning because the story was moving along super quickly...and to be honest, I do think the whole book was paced rather quickly. Too quickly to feel an adequate connection to it. BUT the mystery was so compelling that it made me want to keep reading, and I'm glad I did. This book had just the right amount of spookiness for Halloween and I loved the creepy lore that was explored. For a contemporary middlegrade horror book, you wouldn't think to say that the worldbuilding was a high point, but it absolutely was in this case. The world surrounding the main character was so thorough and thought-out, and that made it all the more intriguing.

I loved the main character's emotional arc. Though I couldn't exactly relate, I could tell that Clay's struggles were written with care and authenticity, and I hope the introspection that the character had throughout the book will help some kids.

Overall such a good story! I only wish it were a little longer 🤭 which I guess is a good thing... Leave the audience wanting more.

[Jessica Froberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything to me.

I am not a fan of horror...but I found out quickly that I very much can be! I loved the thrill and fear this instilled in me, especially when I read it alone at night. It's the perfect mix for children and adults alike.

Clay is such a likable character, and his inner wounds are so desperate and fleshed out that it propels you through the story to find out what happened to his mother. Don't even get me started on what a rabbit hole his mother is. I loved the twists and turns and lore we gained along the way. Clay's group of friends is so fun, and I loved the journey they went on together. One of my favorite aspects is the little inserts telling about the dolls. They're all so creative and brilliant.

I highly recommend this book, and I'll be reading it to my 11-year-old this Halloween season to see what he thinks!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this!! I flew through it. I loved the setting and the descriptions, the characters were all very likeable. The first chapter was a great start that hooked me right in and kept me until the very end of the book. The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Clay's mother is what keeps you turning the page, needing to know what happens next.

I love every book Lindsay puts out and I wish I had them when I was a kid in school. I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy when it's released! 💜

If you loved Lindsay's other books, then you're probably gonna love this one too. I highly recommend giving this one a read!

Thank you so much to Edelweiss and Scholastics for the ARC!

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

HONESTLY one of the best middle grades I've ever read. The writing was at moments lush, the plot was paced so well, the mystery and the reveals were surprising but not out-of-nowhere. The metaphors and imagery were incredibly well matched to the story's theme without being overdone in my opinion.

Especially from page 50 onward, I felt myself gripped and had to keep reading. I'll be rereading this one!

[Bree · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

This was such a fun and spooky little read! While this was classified as being a MG Horror, for me personally, I wanted it to be so much more spookier. Especially towards the end, in the final climactic scene where it started to feel more fantastical than horror-esque. But all in all, I enjoyed this story but would classify it as a spooky MG.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully spooky.

[Shane Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written mystery that keeps you guessing. Dark and atmospheric with a strong protagonist. Lindsay Puckett is fantastic.

[pia · Rating 5 out of 5]

if i read this as a kid this would’ve freaked me tf out

[Holly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! The perfect spooky read even adults will enjoy. If you liked Coraline, you'll love Bitter Bones!

[isa ☾ · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

perfectly spooky, i would have been terrified if i’d read this as a kid! the audiobook was great

[Rebecca Trusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that will equally creep you out and warm your heart, Bitter Bones is it.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect blend of emotional and creepy. The twist at the end was great. And the prologue! I really loved this and my horror loving kid will eat this up